What You Missed in Immigration: From Facial Recognition to Work Permit Friction

Milow LeBlanc
1 day ago
3 min read

“Facing the Future: Facial Recognition Expands to Every Traveler”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced plans to photograph all non-U.S. citizens entering or leaving the country, extending its facial recognition program to include both children under 14 and seniors over 79. The rollout, expected to reach every major airport within five years, is touted as a security upgrade that integrates live imagery with passport data for faster verification. However, civil liberty advocates are raising concerns about increased surveillance and data privacy for lawful travelers and immigrants alike.

The PERM Takeaway: As identity verification becomes more digitized, employers and immigration sponsors may see tighter documentation checks during the hiring and onboarding process. Staying ahead on compliance and securely managing worker verification records will be key as federal systems modernize.

“Permit Paused: DHS Ends Automatic Work Authorization Extensions”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially ended its 540-day automatic work permit extensions, effective October 30. The change eliminates a crucial buffer for immigrants awaiting USCIS approval, potentially sidelining hundreds of thousands from the workforce. DHS cites improved vetting as the rationale, but the shift is expected to cause major disruptions for employers reliant on timely employment authorization renewals.

The PERM Takeaway: This policy change reinforces the importance of proactive workforce planning. Employers should encourage foreign workers to file renewals at least six months in advance to prevent unexpected lapses in employment eligibility and avoid costly project delays or labor shortages.

“No More Checks: USCIS Goes Fully Digital on Payments”

In a move toward modernization, USCIS is ditching paper checks and introducing direct bank payments via Form G-1650 (ACH transactions). The agency says this upgrade will reduce fraud and cut processing times, aligning with the federal government’s broader digital transformation goals. Starting October 28, payments must now be made electronically through ACH debit or credit card using Form G-1450.

The PERM Takeaway: The shift to digital payment processing is part of a larger trend toward paperless immigration services a win for efficiency. Employers sponsoring PERM cases should prepare to manage all filing fees electronically and maintain detailed digital records for audit readiness.

“Refugee Rollback: Trump Cuts Annual Cap to 7,500”

The Trump administration has announced a dramatic reduction in the U.S. refugee admissions cap from 125,000 under Biden to just 7,500, with a controversial preference for White South Africans. The administration defended the decision as being in the “national interest,” sparking global criticism and concerns about equity in refugee policy.

The PERM Takeaway: While this change affects humanitarian admissions more than employment-based immigration, it reflects a tightening stance overall. Businesses depending on international talent pipelines should watch for further restrictions that could influence broader visa and labor certification trends.

“Protest Turns Political: Congressional Candidate Among Six Indicted”

A federal grand jury indicted six individuals, including Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh for allegedly interfering with federal agents during a protest outside an Illinois ICE detention center. The indictments come amid escalating political tensions over immigration enforcement, raising questions about the balance between protest rights and federal authority.

The PERM Takeaway: Immigration remains deeply politicized, influencing both policy direction and public sentiment. Employers should avoid assumptions about policy continuity and stay informed through credible immigration channels, as sudden shifts can impact visa processing and labor strategies.

“A Halloween Plea: Illinois Governor Calls for ICE Raid Pause”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker urged the Trump administration to suspend ICE operations over Halloween weekend to let children “celebrate without fear.” His letter condemned reports of tear gas used at a Chicago parade and described federal raids as “traumatizing for families.” The administration has yet to respond.

The PERM Takeaway: This moment underscores how immigration enforcement affects communities and, by extension, the labor force that drives local economies. For employers, cultivating a supportive, compliant, and empathetic environment for immigrant workers helps maintain stability amid policy turbulence.